Postdoc in Ocean Modeling in University of New Hampshire – USA

Summary

The University of New Hampshire is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Physics-Based Environmental and Ocean Modeling for a federally funded Office of Naval Research (ONR) project. The role involves developing and applying numerical models to predict ocean conditions, integrating model outputs with observational data, and contributing to scientific publications and reports. The position requires a Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography, Ocean Engineering, Ocean or Atmospheric Sciences, Physics, Applied Physics, Earth Science, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field, along with demonstrated experience in physics-based numerical modeling and scientific computing. The annual salary is $70,000.00, and the contract is contingent upon external sponsor funding. The application deadline is open until filled, with an offer starting date as soon as possible.

Key Facts

Department	Center for Acoustics Research and Education (CARE) – Physical Oceanography – Ocean Engineering – Ocean or Atmospheric Sciences – Physics Applied Physics – Earth Science – Applied Mathematics – Environmental and Ocean Modeling
Position Type	Postdoctoral Research Associate
Discipline	Environmental and Ocean Modeling
Research Area	Environmental and Ocean Modeling, Physics-Based Environmental and Ocean Modeling, Numerical Simulation, Ocean Conditions, Currents Tides Waves Temperature Salinity Stratification, UUV Operations, HYCOM ROMS FVCOM, Ocean Circulation Models, Scientific Computing
Degree Required	Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography, Ocean Engineering, Ocean or Atmospheric Sciences, Physics, Applied Physics, Earth Science, Applied Mathematics, or closely related field
Experience	Demonstrated experience with physics-based numerical modeling of ocean, coastal, atmospheric, or related geophysical systems; experience using HYCOM, ROMS, FVCOM, or comparable physics-based ocean models; sufficient expertise in scientific computing and numerical modeling to conduct advanced research independently with minimal training and to work effectively with complex environmental datasets.
Salary	$70,000.00 Annual
Funding	Federally funded Office of Naval Research (ONR) research project
Contract Duration	Contingent upon external sponsor funding ONR
Employer Address	University of New Hampshire – Main Campus, Durham, New Hampshire, USA

About the Project

The research project, funded by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), focuses on physics-based environmental and ocean modeling. The primary goal is to develop environmental modeling capabilities to support research on ocean conditions and Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) operations. This involves numerical simulation and prediction of ocean conditions such as currents, tides, waves, temperature, salinity, and stratification. The postdoctoral researcher will develop, apply, evaluate, and integrate physics-based environmental models and operational ocean products, working with models like HYCOM, ROMS, and FVCOM. The project also includes model-data integration, validation, and analysis, as well as contributing to peer-reviewed manuscripts and grant reports.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and apply physics-based numerical models to characterize and predict ocean and environmental conditions relevant to project objectives.
• Work with models such as HYCOM, ROMS, FVCOM, or comparable ocean circulation models.
• Analyze and predict currents, tides, waves, temperature, salinity, stratification, and related environmental states.
• Configure or adapt models for regional applications and develop workflows that translate model outputs into usable environmental information for downstream research and UUV operations.
• Integrate physics-based model outputs with observational and operational environmental datasets.
• Evaluate model performance through validation and comparison with available measurements, assess uncertainty and limitations, and support data assimilation, initialization, forcing, downscaling, or model-selection activities.
• Develop reproducible computational workflows for processing, analyzing, and visualizing multidimensional ocean and environmental data.
• Contribute to peer-reviewed manuscripts, technical reports, presentations, and progress reports associated with the ONR project.
• Document modeling methods, assumptions, validation results, and research findings.
• Collaborate with faculty, researchers, students, and external project partners in a multidisciplinary research environment.
• Participate in project meetings, communicate environmental modeling results to team members.
• Maintain technical documentation and coordinate research activities to support project milestones.
• Provide technical guidance to students or other researchers when appropriate.
• Maintain research continuity and meet project milestones during periods of departmental curtailment.

Required Skills

• Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography, Ocean Engineering, Ocean or Atmospheric Sciences, Physics, Applied Physics, Earth Science, Applied Mathematics, or closely related field
• Demonstrated experience with physics-based numerical modeling of ocean, coastal, atmospheric, or related geophysical systems
• Experience using HYCOM, ROMS, FVCOM, or comparable physics-based ocean models
• Sufficient expertise in scientific computing and numerical modeling to conduct advanced research independently with minimal training
• Ability to work effectively with complex environmental datasets
• Advanced knowledge of physical oceanography, geophysical fluid dynamics, numerical methods, or closely related principles relevant to physics-based environmental modeling
• Strong experience with numerical ocean environmental models, including model configuration, forcing, simulation, analysis, and interpretation of multidimensional model outputs
• Proficiency in scientific programming and computational tools such as Python, MATLAB, Fortran, C/C++ or comparable languages/tools
• Ability to work with large observational, reanalysis, remote-sensing, and operational ocean environmental datasets and integrate data with physics-based models
• Knowledge of model validation, uncertainty assessment, data assimilation, model initialization, downscaling, and related model-data integration approaches
• Excellent analytical and critical-thinking skills

Who Should Apply

This position is suitable for a Postdoctoral Research Associate with a Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography, Ocean Engineering, Ocean or Atmospheric Sciences, Physics, Applied Physics, Earth Science, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field. Candidates should have strong expertise in physics-based numerical modeling of ocean, coastal, atmospheric, or related geophysical systems, particularly with models like HYCOM, ROMS, or FVCOM. Proficiency in scientific programming (Python, MATLAB, Fortran, C/C++) and experience with large environmental datasets are essential. The role requires a high level of independent research skill and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.

Benefits

• Benefits USNH

About the Employer

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution with an 188-acre main campus located in Durham, New Hampshire, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast. It has 13,000 students and over 600 full-time faculty, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. This position is within the Center for Acoustics Research and Education (CARE).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary focus of this postdoctoral position?

The primary focus is on physics-based environmental and ocean modeling, with an emphasis on numerical simulation and prediction of ocean conditions such as currents, tides, waves, temperature, salinity, and stratification.

What is the required educational qualification for this position?

A Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography, Ocean Engineering, Ocean or Atmospheric Sciences, Physics, Applied Physics, Earth Science, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field is required.

What is the annual salary for this position?

The starting annual salary for this position is $70,000.00.

Is US citizenship required for this position?

Yes, US citizenship is required due to export-control regulations.

What are some of the specific ocean models the researcher will work with?

The researcher will work with models such as HYCOM, ROMS, FVCOM, or comparable ocean circulation models.

What programming languages are relevant for this role?

Proficiency in scientific programming and computational tools such as Python, MATLAB, Fortran, C/C++ or comparable languages/tools is required.